Taylor Deupree New Musical – Sti.ll

In contemplating the audacious task of remaking a classic, Joseph Branciforte found himself ensnared in the tangled webs of doubt and comparison. Why meddle with something already heralded as extraordinary? Yet, when Taylor Deupree presented him with the bold proposition of crafting an acoustic rendition of his groundbreaking 2002 album, "Stil.," Branciforte's curiosity was piqued. "Stil." epitomized the zenith of the glitch movement, birthed from the epoch when personal computers metamorphosed into sanctuaries of sonic experimentation. Deupree's methodology was anything but conventional—he wove electronic samples slightly out of sync, permitting minuscule digital aberrations to dance in and out of temporal harmony, akin to a Steve Reich opus on a microscopic scale. The resultant sound was undeniably warm and emotive, yet seemingly unattainable by mortal hands.

On October 10, 2021, Deupree dispatched an email outlining his grand vision—a live interpretation of "Stil." stripped of its digital crutches, every note to be breathed into existence by flesh and blood musicians. Branciforte, initially apprehensive, tentatively assented with the stipulation that he retained the liberty to withdraw if the endeavor proved futile.

Though Deupree's name graced the album's spine, it was Branciforte who operated as the clandestine architect behind the scenes. An additional quandary arose when Deupree disclosed his lack of possession over the mix files for "Stil.," leaving Branciforte to rely solely on the finished recording for transcription. Undaunted, Branciforte embarked on a meticulous dissection of each track, surgically extracting frequency ranges and meticulously crafting intricate scores. With a cadre of virtuosic instrumentalists at his beck and call—including the visionary clarinetist Madison Greenstone and the initially dubious guitarist Ben Monder—Branciforte embarked on the herculean odyssey of resurrecting "Stil." from the annals of time.

Taylor Deupree Track Listings

Despite initial trepidation, "Sti.ll" emerged as a resplendent triumph. Branciforte found himself particularly ensnared by the labyrinthine depths of "Temper," "Stil.'s" frenetic third opus. Through painstaking transcription and the prodigious talents of Greenstone, who deftly wielded an arsenal of unorthodox clarinet techniques, the essence of "Temper" was not only preserved but transcended, metamorphosing into a contemporary classical marvel.

The ethereal titular track of "Stil." received a singular metamorphosis, transmuted for vibraphone. With meticulous precision in rhythm, mallet selection, and microphone placement, Branciforte conjured a mesmerizing sonic tapestry that defied the laws of gravity. Similarly, the polyphonic intricacies of "Recur" were deftly navigated, with supplemental instrumentation enriching its glitch-laden allure, courtesy of luminaries like Christopher Gross on cello and Laura Cocks on flute.

Even the ostensibly monotonous "Snow/Sand," with its cyclical loop, underwent a transfiguration in the hands of Branciforte and his ensemble. Through unwavering focus and patience, they recreated its hypnotic allure, delineating the shifting boundaries with ethereal vibraphone tones and ethereal finger snaps. Their steadfast refusal to succumb to digital shortcuts underscored Deupree and Branciforte's unwavering commitment to authenticity.

In retrospect, Branciforte gleaned the profound significance of their audacious venture. Sometimes, in daring to defy the boundaries of the possible, one may indeed succeed. In the case of "Sti.ll," it was not merely a replication—it served as a testament to the boundless depths of creativity and the transformative power of collaboration, breathing new life into a timeless masterpiece.

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